Title: Mending Places

Author: Denise Hunter

Publisher: Howard Fiction

ISBN: 1-582-29358-9

Genre: Inspirational/Women/Fiction

Hanna Landin wants her mountain resort to survive, but to stay in business; she has to get a loan. Unfortunately, no one is willing to touch her—she’s too big a risk. Finally she convinces her brother-in-law, a loan officer, to let her at least try. He reluctantly agrees, but the stakes are going to be so high it’ll be a miracle if she can survive the summer.

Micah Gallagher has come from a life of crime. He knew that if Hanna knew his past she’d never agree to hire him. He found Christ in prison, and he made all his wrongs right—all except one. And that one is about to come back to haunt him.

Hanna gives Micah a chance, and they struggle together to forget the past and build a future. The past is more horrifying than either Hanna or Micah can imagine. And it soon becomes evident that someone is trying to sabotage Hanna’s resort, to put her out of business. Micah will do anything to protect Hanna—but can he protect her from himself?

I instantly fell in love with Hanna and Micah and wanted them to survive. Micah, in spite of his less-than-stellar past, is a hero to admire, and Hanna is a different sort of heroine. In spite of the difficulties she faces, knows what she wants and goes to incredible measures to reach them.

I figured out who the bad guy was early on, but some of the things that happened in the book were real shockers. I about fell out of my seat with a couple of the unexpected twists and turns the story took. You absolutely have to read book one in The New Heights Series, Mending Places, for a book you won’t soon forget. It is definitely a keeper. I am looking forward to reading the sequel Saving Grace, coming in March 2005. Mending Places has discussion questions for your small group studies and several pages for note taking at the rear.